Citizen McCain with Meghan McCain

The election is over, but the Republican Party's problems are just getting started. Meghan McCain and Miranda Wilkins welcome Democratic strategist, former Obama staffer and Lost Debate host Ravi Gupta for a wide-ranging conversation about the fallout from the 2026 midterms, the future of MAGA and whether either political party has learned anything from the voters. Meghan is still processing the results, but she's already found herself in another political fight. After Turning Point USA's Tyler Bowyer publicly criticized her and the McCain family over Arizona's Republican losses, Meghan fires back, defending her father's legacy and questioning why the organization continues blaming moderate Republicans and independents instead of examining its own record. Miranda asks a pointed question: If Turning Point can't deliver victories in its own backyard, what does that mean for its national political influence? Meanwhile, the race for 2028 is already taking shape. JD Vance is trying to distance himself from the war in Iran while remaining Trump's political heir, and Meghan, Miranda and Ravi have serious questions about whether he can pull it off. They also discuss Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio, Glenn Youngkin, Jon Ossoff and the possibility of an entirely different kind of presidential election. Then there's the White House. Trump has elevated Stephen Miller following Susie Wiles' departure, raising questions about the administration's direction, immigration policy and whether Trump is prepared to work with the newly elected Democratic Congress. Ravi also shares his firsthand experience working on the Democratic campaign in Kansas, where he says the winning coalition included Republican crossover voters. What can both parties learn from candidates who appeal beyond their political bases? And in a particularly bizarre turn, the conversation shifts to a controversy involving Nvidia, an alleged affair and potential national security concerns. Ravi explains why the story could be about much more than someone's personal life. Plus, Meghan and Miranda take questions from Citizens across the country, debate the emerging 2028 Democratic field and discuss why voters may be looking for something politics has been missing for a long time: basic decency, accountability and normalcy. Subscribe to Citizen McCain, turn on notifications and join Meghan and Miranda for honest conversations, political disagreements and a little chaos along the way. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Cozy Earth: Visit https://cozyearth.com and use code MCCAIN for up to 20% off home and sleepwear. Quince: Visit https://www.quince.com for free shipping and 365-day returns, or download the Quince app for exclusive offers. Let them know you heard about Quince on Citizen McCain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The votes are in, the dust is settling, and Republicans are waking up to a political nightmare. Meghan McCain and Miranda Wilkins are back for a special post-election edition of Citizen McCain, breaking down the 2026 midterm results, the Democratic victories across the country, and what Meghan calls an "extinction-level event" for the Republican Party. From Texas and Ohio to Michigan, South Carolina and Arizona, the political landscape looks very different after Election Day. Meghan lays out her list of reasons Republicans lost, including the cost of living, the war in Iran, government corruption, political extremism and a Trump administration she says has become more interested in social media than governing. Miranda adds another major concern: the growing influence of Big Tech, AI and the expansion of data centers into American communities. Then there's JD Vance. The vice president is already distancing himself from Trump's handling of Iran, but can he separate himself from an administration he's been part of? Miranda thinks Vance's presidential ambitions are finished, while Meghan isn't ready to write him off. And with Ron DeSantis, Marco Rubio and other Republicans potentially looking toward 2028, the fight for the future of the GOP is just beginning. Conservative commentator and radio host Ben Ferguson joins the conversation to offer his perspective on the election, the role of affordability and gas prices, and why he believes Republicans still have a path forward. Plus, Meghan and Ben discuss Ted Cruz, the new balance of power in Washington and the political consequences of failing to deliver on campaign promises. And this wouldn't be Citizen McCain without our Citizens! Viewers from across the country join Meghan and Miranda to share their reactions, concerns and hopes for what comes next. Can Republicans learn from their losses? Will Democrats overreach? And is there still room for the politically exhausted center? Plus, Meghan makes her early 2028 Democratic ticket prediction, Miranda delivers a particularly brutal assessment of JD Vance, and we check in on one of the show's most unforgettable long-shot candidates. Whether you're celebrating, mourning or just completely exhausted by politics, there's a seat for you here. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Cozy Earth: Visit https://cozyearth.com and use code MCCAIN for up to 20% off home and sleepwear. ZBiotics: Visit https://zbiotics.com/mccain and use code MCCAIN for 15% off your order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Election Eve, and the political world is officially losing its mind. Meghan McCain and Miranda Wilkins welcome Fox News contributor and podcast host Mary Katharine Ham for one last look at the 2026 midterms, where Republicans are bracing for a potentially brutal Election Day and Democrats are suddenly dealing with a shocking betrayal from within their own party. In Michigan, former Democratic Senate candidate Haley Stevens has stunned the political establishment by endorsing Republican Mike Rogers over her party's nominee, Abdul El-Sayed. Meghan is thrilled, Miranda has some serious questions, and Mary Katharine breaks down what this bombshell says about the growing divide between establishment Democrats and the progressive left. Plus, the backlash against Stevens is getting downright ugly, with accusations about her mental health, her husband and a particularly vicious attack from James Carville. Meanwhile, the GOP's midterm problems are piling up. Could Republicans really lose South Carolina? Is Texas about to flip? And has Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial attack ad against Amy Acton done lasting damage not just to his own campaign, but to JD Vance's political future? The conversation also turns to government corruption, Trump's reaction to a reported $50 million deal involving former attorney Alina Habba, and why so many voters are exhausted by politicians acting like social media influencers while ordinary Americans struggle with the economy. Mary Katharine offers her final Election Day predictions, including which races could deliver some genuinely surprising results. Plus, Meghan and Miranda preview their LIVE Election Night special, featuring Cindy McCain, Alicia Krause, Nikki Schwab and the debut of Ashley's Decision Desk! Subscribe to Citizen McCain, turn on notifications and join us for Election Night coverage. We're watching the results, taking your questions and breaking down the political chaos together. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Cozy Earth: Visit https://cozyearth.com and use code MCCAIN for up to 20% off home and sleepwear. ZBiotics: Visit https://zbiotics.com/mccain and use code MCCAIN for 15% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are Republicans heading for a midterm bloodbath? And could a Senate seat in deep-red South Carolina actually be in play? Meghan McCain and Miranda Wilkins accidentally show up in matching skeleton sweaters for a spooky pre-Halloween edition of Citizen McCain, but the real scares may be coming for the Republican Party on Election Day. Political strategist Ryan Girdusky is back with a fascinating breakdown of the latest polling, early voting numbers and the warning signs that have Republicans sweating. With CNN's Harry Enten forecasting a potential Democratic blowout, Ryan explains why unusually high Democratic enthusiasm, lagging rural turnout and surprising developments in states like Kansas and North Carolina could spell serious trouble for the GOP. Then, the race to succeed Lindsey Graham in South Carolina is suddenly looking much closer than anyone expected. Meghan reflects on her personal history with the late senator while Ryan questions whether his sister Darlene Graham was ever prepared for a statewide campaign. Could Republicans really lose a seat that should have been safely theirs? The conversation turns to Ohio, where Vivek Ramaswamy is facing growing backlash over his controversial attack ad featuring Amy Acton's estranged mother. Ryan shares what he's hearing from Republican political insiders about how the ad came together, why it may have backfired and whether Vivek's biggest political obstacle is actually his own personality. Plus, Halloween candy prices are through the roof, consumer confidence is sinking and families are feeling squeezed. Meghan and Miranda discuss how everyday affordability concerns could shape the election, while Ryan explains why Trump's messaging on the economy and the Iran war is failing to connect with voters. It's political gossip, campaign analysis and a little Halloween chaos, all on Citizen McCain! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could Texas actually turn blue? And has Vivek Ramaswamy just blown his chances of becoming Ohio's next governor? Meghan McCain and Miranda Wilkins welcome back Daily Mail White House and political reporter Nikki Schwab for a final look at the biggest races heading into the 2026 midterms. Fresh off the campaign trail in Texas, Nikki shares what she's hearing directly from voters about the surprisingly competitive Senate showdown between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico. Is Talarico winning over independents, or are Texans simply exhausted by Paxton's scandals? The trio also digs into Michigan's Senate race between Abdul El-Sayed and Mike Rogers, Barack Obama's jokes about Donald Trump's gold-covered White House renovations, and whether Democrats are finding the right candidates to compete in traditionally Republican states. Then, Meghan isn't backing down from her criticism of Vivek Ramaswamy's controversial attack ad targeting Amy Acton's estranged mother. After watching Acton respond publicly, Meghan, Miranda and Nikki discuss the political fallout, JD Vance's defense of the campaign and whether Republicans have crossed a line that voters won't forgive. Plus, Meghan and Miranda have some serious questions for former Yahoo CEO Marissa Mayer, whose new AI assistant has them wondering why Silicon Valley thinks parents need technology to tell them what they love about their own children. From privacy concerns to the environmental impact of data centers, the ladies are officially over Big Tech telling everyone how to live. And there's more: Ilhan Omar addresses the longstanding allegations about her former marriage, Nicki Minaj makes another appearance in Trump's political orbit, and Nikki shares where she's headed next on the campaign trail. Finally, Meghan and Miranda reveal details about their upcoming election night special, featuring special guests, live reactions and an appearance from Cindy McCain. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices